Syria: The First Casualty…

The big lie concerning Syria is the most significant and outrageous myth that we are living under today. As previous big lies fade into history, this particular crisis holds the most potential to flare up into a life-ending catastrophe across the planet. Russia has now approved a shipment of attack helicopters to their ally Syria, and China remains highly skeptical of the western narrative regarding the massacre of women and children in Houla. Iran has offered to come to the aid of Assad in fighting the various Sunni militias, which have opened up multiple fronts across rural parts of the country.

In Military-Industrial-Media-Speak the president of Syria, Bashar Assad, is a “butcher” who massacres his own people, defenseless “activists” and “protesters” who cry out for his ouster across Syria; if only the benevolent western democracies would send more weapons and money to destroy the Syrian army, on their behalf, the world would be right again. This lie has been exposed numerous times, and yet persists as if previous revelations had never occurred. This requires a gullible, amnesic public that refuses to dig beyond surface headlines and corporate perception management.

Armed foreign fighters have been perpetrating a coordinated military assault on Syria since March of 2011.

Back in the middle of March, 2011, while the world’s press was enraptured by the uprising in Egypt, clashes in Daraa, Syria led to violence. Not covered by US news sources, but reported in Israel and Lebanon, are the following facts on the ground:

Seven police officers and at least four demonstrators in Syria have been killed in continuing violent clashes that erupted in the southern town of Daraa last Thursday… On Friday police opened fire on armed protesters killing four and injuring as many as 100 others… In an uncharacteristic gesture intended to ease tensions the government offered to release the detained students, but seven police officers were killed, and the Baath Party Headquarters and courthouse were torched, in renewed violence on Sunday. (Israel National News, Gavriel Queenann, Syria: Seven Police Killed, Buildings Torched in Protests, Arutz Sheva, March 21, 2011, emphasis added)

Jump ahead to May of 2011 (13 months ago), and Al Jazeera’s reporter in Lebanon runs into blatant censorship by his own employer. The Qatari media organization disallows the broadcast of video footage showing heavily-armed fighters crossing the border from Lebanon into Syria. Ali Hashem and other journalists at Al Jazeera, Lebanon, will resign in protest because of this blatant cover-up of a military incursion. Al Jazeera’s reputation as an impartial news source is forever damaged.

A terror campaign then launches, by the armed opposition fighters, who use bombs, snipers and sabotage.

7/24/11 – Saboteurs blow up and derail a passenger train from Aleppo, Syria

8/14/11 – Report that NATO plans to send large quantities of anti-tank and anti-air rockets, mortars and heavy machine guns to the Syrian rebels

“The United Nations says at least 4,000 people have died, with about a quarter of the dead from the security forces.” (Reuters, UK, Dec. 8, 2011, emphasis added)

That’s some so-called “protest movement” that can kill 1,000 armed police and soldiers. Of course it was nothing of the kind. Protest was the premeditated cover story to launch an aggressive, pre-planned assault against the Assad regime.

Western news media have relied extensively on the impressively named Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This steadfast organization, according to Reuters, consists of one guy who runs a clothing shop in Coventry, England. For some reason calling one’s self the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights entices the world’s corporate press to call in 24 hours a day seeking counsel. That’s how it’s worked out so far for Rami Abdulrahman.

Perhaps I should set up the American Monitoring Station of International Bullshit? The US press clearly needs the guidance. Even this week the Christian Science Monitor used Rami Abdulrahman as a “source” of what’s happening on the ground in Syria, printing his speculation as an eyewitness account. He lives in London.

“[Rami Abdulrahman] said the use of tanks and attack helicopters to smash residential buildings and city infrastructure indicated they wanted to destroy areas, not just chase out rebels.” (CS Monitor, UN Monitors find stench of death in Syrian town, 6/14/2012)

The CS Monitor is forced to concede further escalating violence by the rebels as well, even as its language attempts to paint the Syrian government as the party most responsible, relying on unverifiable “activists” repeatedly.

“Car bombings and suicide bombings have become increasingly common as the 15-month uprising against Assad becomes militarized [sic]. Most have targeted security buildings and police buses, symbols of Assad’s regime.”

The big lie that the “militarization” of the conflict is new gets repeated across western media. The insurgents have targeted government buildings and personnel back in March of 2011. Despite bombings and shootings being commonplace in Syria for over one year, the western press continually insists that it is just now becoming militarized. This refrain appears in most U.S. news coverage of Syria.

Operation Syria Well Underway

The voice of the empire, The Washington Post, with its curious Goebbels-approved masthead font, admits:

“Classified U.S. diplomatic cables [via Wikileaks] show that the State Department has funneled as much as $6 million to the [Syrian opposition] group since 2006 to operate the satellite channel and finance other [unspecified] activities inside Syria… The U.S. money for Syrian opposition figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005… ‘It is unclear to what extent [Syrian] intelligence services understand how USG money enters Syria and through which proxy organizations,’ the [State Department] cable stated, referring to funding from the U.S. government.” (The Washington Post, U.S. secretly backed Syrian opposition groups, cables released by WikiLeaks show, April 17, 2011) (emphasis added)

From the horse’s mouth: “proxy organizations” and “USG money,” since 2005-6. But we can look back further in time, much further and find some curious Cold War strategic planning from Uncle Sam regarding Syria.

“CIA and SIS [British MI6] should use their capabilities in both the psychological and action fields to augment tension,” reads the “preferred plan” for regime change in Syria, dating back to 1957 and approved by president Dwight D. Eisenhower! Back when Syria was the Soviet Union’s ally on the Mediterranean, the CIA and MI6 studied the problem and came up with actionable options for western war makers.

“Driving the call for action was the CIA’s Middle East chief Kermit Roosevelt [who overthrew Mossadegh in Iran in 1953]… ‘Once a political decision is reached to proceed with internal disturbances in Syria, CIA is prepared, and SIS [MI6] will attempt, to mount minor sabotage and coup de main incidents within Syria, working through contacts with individuals…’ The plan called for funding of a ‘Free Syria Committee’, and the arming of ‘political factions with paramilitary or other actionist capabilities’ within Syria.” (UK Guardian, Documents show White House and No 10 conspired over oil-fuelled invasion plan, Sept. 26, 2003) (emphasis added)

Anything sound familiar? How about this:

“Casualty lists in US newspapers would cause a helpful wave of national indignation.” (Operation Northwoods, US Joint Chiefs of Staff, March 13, 1962)

By February 2012, we have Israeli reports of foreign special forces inside Syria in violation of the UN Charter, a clear war crime:

“British and Qatari special operations units are operating with rebel forces under cover in the Syrian city of Homs just 162 kilometers from Damascus, according to debkafile’s exclusive military and intelligence sources… They are tactical advisers, manage rebel communications lines and relay their requests for arms, ammo, fighters and logistical aid to outside suppliers, mostly in Turkey.” (Debkafile, First foreign troops in Syria back Homs rebels. Damascus and Moscow at odds, February 2012)

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Joe Giambrone

Joe Giambrone is an American writer and filmmaker whose articles appear at Counterpunch, Globalresearch.ca, Opednews and elsewhere. He also edits The Political Film Blog, and his novel "Hell of a Deal: A Supernatural Satire" is available online, including at Amazon.

Assad the son is acting like Assad the father. The CIA can light the fire and turn a civil war into a bigger civil war, but they can’t make the timber.

Assad the son had a chance to reform when he came into power but he didn’t. Instead he presided over an increasingly corrupt and always brutal regime. Then the Internet and Facebook happened, and the Arab Spring erupted. The Syrian regime wasn’t able to adapt. It dug its own grave.

Who would have expected, 15 months ago, that the regime would be in a state of near-collapse now? EVERYTHING that Assad has done since then has only made things worse. Sure, the CIA and insurgent had a hand in it. But in the end, the final responsibility for the mess lies with the President.

http://www.jeremyrhammond.com Jeremy R. Hammond

The Assad regime is responsible for its own actions, just as the rebels and the US are responsible for theirs.

neretva’43

“Instead he presided over an increasingly corrupt and always brutal regime.”

I am surprised that you did not mentioned “He is irrational” and the like. So, what’s your definition of “brutal” or “corrupt”? Brutal like Zionist/apartheid regime for example…or like Saudi regime. Do I need to mention some of the western regimes?

Obviously by using Cliché you are showing that you have been stupefied or bamboozled enough by MSM/propaganda so you rejecting evidence and facts.

Leo

What I don’t understand is why are the western powers so eager to topple Lybian and Syrian regimes. They are briging down unfriendly governments, but creating instability and religious fanatism, wich seems like a very uncertain scenario. Why are they so sure it will pay off?

Edward

The Western Powers are obviously on the road to Moscow. They must believe that where Napoleon and Hitler failed they can suceed. But there are too many major countries with a grudge against the wwestern powers like China, India, Africa, South America and indeed Russia itself who will make sure that if they do reach their ultimate destination it will be a Pyrrhic victory. And that is what I am afraid of – that they may keep going until they are defeated. Let us hope that sense will prevail and the lesson from the downing of the Turkish jet will be heeded.

neretva’43

“Russia has now approved a shipment of attack helicopters…”

It is not attack helicopters. We are talking about Mi-17 (export version) or better known as Mi-8 military transport helicopters.

Jon Harrison

Hopefully the Western Powers will not become more deeply involved in Syria. But if they go into Syria, there is little that Russia or China or Iran can do to stop them. Russia cannot project power on even the level that the old Soviet Union could. China has no military options whatsoever in the Middle East. And Iran is not capable of standing up to NATO. NATO can topple Assad if it chooses to do so. Of course, what follows Assad might be worse.

a free bird

{And Iran is not capable of standing up to NATO. NATO can topple Assad if it chooses to do so. Of course, what follows Assad might be worse.}

The evil forces sitting in Washington and Tel Aviv are so savage that no one’s action can be matched with their savagery and brutality otherwise the indigenous population of America and Palestine would have survived to kick them out.

The people of the region will stick together, however, and will force these war criminals out by their unity and cooperation and will never allow them back. The population of the region knows that without ignorant population of the West, these savages could have not survived for such a long time. The ignorant population of these countries must have benefited from their government brutality and war crimes activities against other nations, not to say anything and go along with these crimes against humanity.

When the popular front came into power in France before WWII, they did not do much for their colonies in North Africa and elsewhere. They were socialists even communists who preached human dignity but when they were placed in the position of power they argued that France need to keep the colonies to build its economy to create jobs for the workers to benefit its population so the state can be saved from workers riots. They shipped one million of them into Algeria to have good time and easy life at the expense of the natives. They did not respect ‘human rights’. They used their resources to benefit French people not Algerians.

The US government needs to create crisis to engage in a military action in order to expand its influence and captures markets to feed its population on other people’s natural resources and human capital to keep its population as ignorant as they are so they say nothing against the government’s crimes against humanity.

Finally, Algerian people kicked their oppressors, including French people who were complicit in French government’s crimes against humanity, out of their country. Don’t be so sure. You will be kicked out soon. For more information on Syria please read the following paper.

You are absolutely right. Without gullible public, the savages would have not been able to carry these war crime activity for such a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time against other people for the interest of their elite. Therefore, the public is complicit with the government’s crimes against humanity. To repeat the excuse such as “the public does not know” cannot be accepted anylonger at the age of all these stupid ‘social media.’ It is their responsiblity to know the alternatives to the government’s lies where these gullibles buy so easily.

” A poll earlier this year showed that Bashar Assad retains 55% approval among Syrians, meaning he would remain president in a democratic contest, yet this is completely ignored in the Western press, which seems more comfortable siding with Al Qaeda type Jihadis and mercenaries paid for by gulf monarchies.”

A poll of 90 or so people by telephone, the results from such a poll would be highly dubious. More reliable polls would ask hundreds of people for their views and do so face to face.

You are an imposter. You send a link that does not work assuming Mr. Hammond won’t click the link. As you have found out he checks everything.

You are the one who do not read. Mr. Hammond can read the link that I have provided here which WORKS. It confirms Joe Giambrone’ about Bashar popularity.

BASHAR ASAD IS FAR MORE POPULAR THAT YOUR STOOGES IN WASHINGTON.

http://www.jeremyrhammond.com Jeremy R. Hammond

Dude, that poll WASN’T EVEN TAKEN IN SYRIA. I guess the heading “4 IN 5 LIBYANS AGREE…” didn’t give that away to you, huh?

The remark in the article that a poll showed most Syrians support Assad stands.

a free bird

{A poll of 90 or so people by telephone, the results from such a poll would be highly dubious.}

You should remove the veil of ignorance when you read the article. Your president under the same condition will not be able to get similar percentage of popularity and will be much LOWER compare to Bashar Assad. His popularity is more than 55 percent.

According to David Rhodes the NYT journalist, in Afghanistan hate your persident so much that wherever they go and see a photo of US president, according to Rhodes, they spit at his picture. WE NEED ‘HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION’ IN WASHINGTON AND ISRAEl, not Syria or elsewhere. Get real.

To see this article neither is sloppy nor unreliable unlike you, please read the following paper which confirms major points of this article.

“You should remove the veil of ignorance when you read the article. Your president under the same condition will not be able to get similar percentage”

Out of curiosity, what is this presidents name that you seem sure to be the ruler of my country?

“His popularity is more than 55 percent.”

Reliable evidence showing his popularity has not been presented.

“According to David Rhodes the NYT journalist, in Afghanistan hate your persident”

I presume you meant president, again polling evidence has not been shown to back up this assertion, polling evidence however has shown time and time again that most afghans see the invasion by the us as right, therefore it is unlikely that they hold an overall hostile view of the person that you think is my president.

“To see this article neither is sloppy nor unreliable unlike you”

Is english your first language?

a free bird

Is english your first language?

Stop using dumb and racist tactic to divert attention from your inability to understand what this article is talking about.

Remove your veil of ignorance so you be able to read the article I have included where confirms Mr. Joe Giambrone’s points of view in his article contrary to your propaganda machine.

Observer

Was it 5 countrys in 5 years or 7 in 7 years? .. I forgot :P

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